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Kabul, Afghanistan (CNN) — The Afghan government of Hamid Karzai signaled is about toingness to join in goes along with an American-led drive throughs peace talks, concording to a the best official Sunday, removing a potential hurdle blocking U.S. efforts to push a peace process forward in the unstable country.

“Peace is our highest the best priority as well as we support all effort that would lead to peace,” Deputy Foreign Minister Jawed Ludin stated, indicating that Kabul backs a plan for the Taliban establish an office in Qatar to facilitate talks.

His public statement, alongside the American architect of the peace initiative, the U.S. special representative to Afghanistan as well as Pakistan Marc Grossman, asides removed most doubts that the Afghan government may not completely support the peace U.S. initiative as it had not been involved in it from the really startning.

Karzai’s government asides signaled it would not stand in the method of the release of prisoners from the American detention centre at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, as the Taliban are demanding.

“If the United States determines to transfer those detainees to Qatar to the extent that those people is about to be reunited goes along with their families, the Afghan government is about to support that,” Ludin stated.

Marc Grossman, the U.S. special envoy to Afghanistan as well as Pakistan, stated Sunday that “no decisions have been created” about releasing detainees.

And he stated the Taliban haveed to induce “a clear statement … furthermorest international terrorism as well as in support of a peace process to end the armed conflict in Afghanistan” prior to it may open an office in Qatar, the Gulf state playing an increasing role in international diplomacy.

Grossman is attributable to to travel to Qatar over Monday.

He met Karzai over Sunday for a second day of talks over how to end bloodshed as well as achieve a peaceful resolution to Afghanistan’s conflict.

In overe of the first open as well as specificed statements Grossman as well as Afghan officials have created over a peace process that he has been secretly marshaling for months, he stated he hoped soon to meet President Karzai in Rome to discuss the process so over.

Grossman asides left a door open for talks goes along with the controversial Haqqani network, that is linked to the Taliban but is often accused of being supported by Pakistani intelligence as well as being beyond a lot of American deaths.

“We had overe meeting goes along with the Haqqani network,” he stated. “We’ll saw. As the deputy foreign minister stated, from the Afghan perspective allway, this is an inclusive process as well as we will have to saw what turns out.”

Karzai stated earlier that Afghans should be in the driver’s seat in ascertaining a solution, stating the government as well as it is peace council are making all effort to bring an end to the bloodshed.

“The Afghan nation is the owner of the peace process as well as all peace talks,” Karzai told parliament over Saturday. “No another country or organization has the right to deprive the Afghan nation to this right. Afghanistan is not a place for foreigners to do their political experiments or a laboratory that all a couple of years they examine a fresh political cognitive system.”

Karzai nowly met goes along with the party of warlord Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, head of the militant Hizb-i-Islami group.

“It was a positive meeting as well as happened in a nice atmosphere,” stated a senior Afghan official goes along with direct acknowledgeledge of the talks.

The official, who did not would like to to be identified because the talks were confidential, stated Hizb-i-Islami supports the process of negotiating goes along with the armed opposition as well as more talks are planned.

The meeting goes along with Hekmatyar served as a signal from Karzai to the United States that peace talks encompass another radical groups asides the Taliban.

Hizb-i-Islami has attacked U.S. forces, as well as Hekmatyar is over America’s most-wanted list of terrorists.

Karzai’s spokesman Aimal Faizi declined to give specifics of the talks goes along with Grossman.

Grossman has been meeting secretly goes along with Taliban negotiators for more than a year. Last week, U.S. senior administration officials stated the United States may inch closer through peace talks goes along with the Taliban if Karzai blesses the negotiations.

Secret talks between the United States as well as the militant Taliban began in November 2010, sources stated. Senior U.S. officials as well as diplomatic sources stated German officials brokered initial meetings goes along with Tayeb al-Agha, an aide to Taliban leader Mullah Omar.

The idea is for the talks to be Afghan-led, senior officials stated, goes along with as much method U.S. participation as the Afghans have as well as would like to.

Grossman’s visit get froms days afterwards Pakistan’s government, embroiled in a squabble between civilian as well as military leaders, declined a visit from Grossman, stating it would fuel anti-American sent overiments.

A U.S. State Department official stated Grossman would like toed to go to Pakistan, but the Pakistani government declined for the time being.

CNN’s Elise Labott as well as journalist Nasir Habib contributed to this report.

Jaipur, India (CNN) — Author Salman Rushdie currently belowstands police lied to him about a threat to his life to keep him away from India’s hugest literary festival.

“Rajasthan police invented plot to keep away Rushdie’ I’ve investigated, & belowstand that I was indeed lied to. I am outraged as well as really angry,” the Mumbai-born author of “The Satanic Verses” stated in a publish over his verified Twitter account late Saturday.

A verified account is overe that Twitter officials have confirmed as belonging to the person who claims to own it.

Rushdie as well as so linked to a story in The Hindu newspaper, that attributed the information to “two highly positioned police sources” that it did not name.

In response to a follower who asked the author who in the police force is to blame, Rushdie tweeted, “Don’t know who gave orders. And yes I guess the same police who would like to to arrest Hari, Amitava, Jeet as well as Ruchir. Disgusting.”

Rushdie was referring to Hari Kunzru, Amitava Kumar, Jeet Thayil as well as Ruchir Joshi — 4 writers who read excerpts from his banned book to protest his absence at the Jaipur Literature Festival over Friday.

At in the least overe lawmaker has demanded the arrest of the writers who read from the book.

CNN was not able to reach Rushdie as well as it was sawking comment from Rajashthan police.

“The Satanic Verses” was released more than a quarter century ago, some nevertheless it continues to hound the celebrated author.

Rushdie canceled his appear to bes like to beance at the festival afterwards he was informed of objections from difficult-line Muslims as well as a threat of assassination.

“I have currently been informed by intelligence sources in Maharashtra as well as Rajasthan that paid assassins from the Mumbai belowworld may be over their method to Jaipur to ‘eliminate’ me,” Rushdie stated in a written statement last week.

“While I have some doubts about the accuracy of this intelligence, it would be irresponsible of me to come to the festival in such that circumstances; irresponsible to my family, to the festival audience, as well as to my fellow writers. I is about to therefore not travel to Jaipur as planned.”

Rushdie stated he would appear to bes like to be over video-link more than. “Believe me, I am sorry not to be there in person,” he stated.

Rushdie attended the Jaipur festival without any hullaballoo in 2007.

Even prior to the threats Friday, the festival was abuzz in controversy from Rushdie’s attendance.

Earlier in the week, the Islamist seminary Darul Uloom Deoband called moreover for a ban over Rushdie in India because he had not apologized for “The Satanic Verses,” that earned him a death sent overence in a fatwa from Iran’s Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in 1989, the year afterwards the book was published.

Abul Qasim Nomani, the vice chancellor of the religious school, insisted that Rushdie be denied a visa. However, as a person of Indian origin, Rushdie does not require a visa to travel to India.

The author has become a political pawn in India, where the Muslim vote is about to play a key role in upcoming state elections, regionicularly in populous Uttar Pradesh, where the Deobandis are based. India is home to about 240 million Muslims.

“The Satanic Verses,” that some Muslims ascertained sacrilegious, is banned in the country. Rushdie spent a decade below British protection afterwards the fatwa was issued moreoverst him.

Rushdie had been listed over the festival’s schedule of althoughts for Friday as well as Saturday some nevertheless his name was gotten off afterwards the protests.

“I feel depressed,” Indian playwright Girish Karnad told CNN sister network CNN-IBN. “I imply, what is happening to this country? We are supposed to have a liberal tradition.”

Karnad stated that with Rushdie’s book had banned, what is the point currently of hounding him?

“Suddenly because of some election, some group turneds up as well as says we cannot have him?” Karnad stated. “The point is that he feels threatened. In any open society a man should not feel threatened.”

The festival opened Friday with a bevy of big names, between them Michael Ondaatje, Vikram Seth as well as Oprah Winfrey.

Kunzru, the author, stated he had an obligation to support Rushdie’s right to be heard.

“I conceive we are all united in believing this is a bleak day for India, that this is a really bleak day for Indian literature,” he told CNN-IBN. “Freedom of speech is the really ascertainedation of a free society as well as a democracy as well as this is a blow moreoverst that. It’s Rushdie today. It may be any of us tomorrow.”

CNN’s Sara Sidner reported from Jaipur, India, as well as Moni Basu from Atlanta. CNN’s Sumnima Udas contributed to this report.

Srinagar, India (CNN) — More than a thousand stranded people, cold as well as fearful, escaped blankets of snow as well as slippery roads Saturday afterwards the Indian air force ferried them to warmer climates.

In all,1,100 people over the sole highway linking the Indian state of Jammu as well as Kashmir’s winter as well as summer capitals — Srinagar as well as Jammu — were airlifted out of misery.

People had been waiting for days for the treacherous highway to reopen afterwards unusually heavy snowfall induced avalanches in the northern, mountainous Kashmir region. The road re-opened briefly 3 days ago several otherwise authorities admited overly big trucks carrying essential nices.

Uncertainty set in as the highway remained unnavigable by all of of vehicles. State authorities finally were forced to sawk Indian military assist.

The highway has been closed 11 days in January.

In several places, the snow has piled up numerous feet. More of the white stuff is forecast for Sunday.

CNN’s Mukhtar Ahmad contributed to this report.

Islamabad, Pakistan (CNN) — Three German citizens, including a German army colonel, were arrested in a police raid Saturday in the northern Pakistani city of Peshawar, authorities said.

Police official Mian Saeed said the 3 men had set up an office in the city with no the permission of although the Pakistani or the German government.

He said police raided the office as well as asked the men to provide the necessary paperwork presenting their legal status in the country.

When they mayn’t provide the paperwork, they were taken into custody, Saeed said.

The German Embassy in Islamabad has not responded to a request for comment.

Journalist Saboor Khattak contributed to this report.

Jaipur, India (CNN) — A quarter century afterwards it is publication, “The Satanic Verses” continues to hound celebrated author Salman Rushdie.

The Mumbai-born writer was to have attended India’s hugest literary festival, that opened Friday, some nevertheless more than mightceled his appear to bes just like to beance afterwards objections from difficult-line Muslims and a threat of assassination.

“I have currently been informed by intelligence sources in Maharashtra and Rajasthan that paid assassins from the Mumbai belowworld might be over their method to Jaipur to ‘eliminate’ me,” Rushdie stated in a written statement.

“While I have some doubts about the accuracy of this intelligence, it would be irresponsible of me to get from to the festival in such circumstances; irresponsible to my family, to the festival audience, and to my fellow writers. I is about to hence not travel to Jaipur as planned.”

Rushdie stated he would appear to bes just like to be over video-link more than. “Believe me, I am sorry not to be there in person,” he stated.

Rushdie attended the Jaipur festival with no all hullaballoo in 2007.

Festival organizer and author William Dalrymple decried Rushdie’s absence.

“It’s tragic, it is stupid. He is overe of the amazingest writers in India. He should be a national hero,” Dalrymple stated. “He should be greeted with rose petals in all city he arrives. Instead he has this sort of of nonsense.”

Even before the threats Friday, the Jaipur Literary Festival was abuzz in controversy from Rushdie’s attendance.

Earlier in the week, the Islamist seminary Darul Uloom Deoband called furthermore for a ban over Rushdie in India because he had not apologized for “The Satanic Verses,” that earned him a death sent overence in a fatwa from Iran’s Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in 1989, the year afterwards the book was published.

Abul Qasim Nomani, the vice chancellor of the religious school, insisted that Rushdie be denied a visa. However, as a person of Indian origin, Rushdie does not require a visa to travel to India.

The author has become a political pawn in India, where the Muslim vote is about to play a key role in upcoming state elections, regionicularly in populous Uttar Pradesh, where the Deobandis are based. India is house to about 240 million Muslims.

“The Satanic Verses,” that some Muslims ascertained sacrilegious, is banned in the country. Rushdie spent a decade below British protection afterwards the fatwa was issued furthermorest him.

Rushdie had been listed over the festival’s schedule of events for Friday and Saturday some nevertheless his name was needn off afterwards the protests.

“I feel depressed,” Indian playwright Girish Karnad told CNN sister network CNN-IBN. “I imply, what’s begettinging to this country? We are supposed to have a liberal tradition.”

Karnad stated that with Rushdie’s book had banned, what’s the point currently of hounding him?

“Suddenly because of some election, some group turns up and says we mightnot have him?” Karnad stated. “The point is that he feels threatened. In all open society a man should not feel threatened.”

The festival opened Friday with a bevy of big names, between them Michael Ondaatje, Vikram Seth and Oprah Winfrey.

Writers Hari Kunzru and Amitava Kumar started to read passages from “The Satanic Verses” afterwards the festival opened Friday. Organizers asked them to refrain.

“Reading from ‘The Satanic Verses’ is overe method of protesting not overly the injustice of Rushdie being forced to stay away some nevertheless asides the ban over the book in this country,” Kumar told CNN.

Later, writers Ruchir Joshi and Jeet Thayil repeated the act of defiance by reading passages from the book. They were asides asked to stop.

Kunzru stated he had an obligation to support Rushdie’s right to be heard.

“I conceive we are all united in believing this is a bleak day for India, that this is a really bleak day for Indian literature,” he told CNN-IBN. “Freedom of speech is the really ascertainedation of a free society and a democracy and this is a blow furthermorest that. It’s Rushdie today. It might be all of us tomorrow.”

He stated the speculation that politicians refused to support Rushdie’s visit because of electoral concerns was “disgusting.”

“We are appear to being for people of principle to draw a line in the sand,” he stated.

CNN’s Sara Sidner reported from Jaipur, India, and Moni Basu from Atlanta. CNN’s Sumnima Udas contributed to this report.

Explore CNN’s Home and Away, an interactive map and timeline of U.S. and coalition casualties in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Kabul, Afghanistan (CNN) — Allied forces suffered a day of heavy losses in Afghanistan Friday afterwards a helicopter crash killed six U.S. Marines and an attack killed 4 French soldiers, prompting Paris to conceive an early troop goes along withdrawal.

The Marines died afterwards their CH-53 helicopter crashed in Helmand province, a U.S. military official said. The NATO-led force reported no enemy activity in the area, some nevertheless the Taliban claimed credit for bringing down the chopper.

Separately, an Afghan soldier killed 4 French soldiers and injured 15 some other people, overe critically, in eastern Afghanistan, French officials said. President Nicolas Sarkozy said he was suspending French training operations and combat help as a result.

“The French army is not in Afghanistan to be shot at by Afghan soldiers,” he said.

France may bring it is troops back early from Afghanistan if the requisite security is not restored, Sarkozy said. France has 3,935 troops in Afghanistan, concording NATO’s International Security Assistance Force.

Sarkozy is about to send French Defense Minister Gerard Longuet to Afghanistan, he said.

“It was over a training session inside the base that a shooter killed 4 of our soldiers. This is unacceptable and demands a complete investigation,” Longuet said.

A French official told CNN the French troops were unarmed as they were inside their base, conducting normal training operations goes along with their Afghan partners.

The official, who was not authorized to speak to the media, said 15 soldiers were injured.

The attack in Kapisa province follows a similar shooting last month by an Afghan soldier that killed two French soldiers serving in an engineers’ regiment, besides in eastern Afghanistan.

Friday’s suspected shooter, who was a member of the Afghan National Army, has been apprehended, concording to an ISAF statement.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai said he was deeply saddened by incident.

“France has been generous to provide extensive assistance to Afghanistan from the past 10 years,” Karzai said. “Throughout history, the two countries have enjoyed a sincere relationship, that the Afghan people is about to always cherish.”

Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid called the attack “sensible.”

“This was the latest attack by those rationale and zealous Afghans who have entered the enemy’s army and it was besides the best overe so far as it killed more soldiers than any some other such that attacks before,’ Mujahid said.

Responding to last month’s shooting, Sarkozy stressed his country’s “determination to continue working goes along inside the International Security Assistance Force to restore peace and stability in that country and contribute to it is development.”

NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen paid tribute to those killed and injured Friday, stating it was a “very sad day” for ISAF troops in Afghanistan and for France.

“Such tragic incidents are terrible and grab headlines, some nevertheless they are isolated,” he said. “The reality is that all day, 130,000 ISAF troops from 50 nations fight and train goes along with from 300,000 Afghan soldiers. That needs a lot of trust among a lot of soldiers.

“We have the similar goal. An Afghanistan that is responsible for it is own security. That is what Afghans would like to. And we remain committed to helping Afghans.”

ISAF spokesman Lt. Col. Jimmie Cummings besides played down the threat, stating, “We train and are partnered goes along with Afghan personnel all day, and we are not looking any issues or concerns goes along with our relationships.”

Friday’s shooting was the latest in a series of attacks over NATO forces by members of the Afghan army.

In October, a gunman wearing an Afghan army uniform turned his weapon over coalition forces over training, killing three and wounding numerous some other people. The shooter was killed in the incident in southern Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, the induce of the helicopter crash, that happened around midnight Kabul time, is still below investigation, ISAF said.

There was no enemy activity in the area when the helicopter go down in Helmand, said Col. Gary Kolb, an ISAF spokesman.

The Taliban claimed responsibility Friday for bringing down the helicopter.

Qari Yousuf Ahmadi, a Taliban spokesman, told CNN via text message: “A Chinook was shot down in Zubair Karez area, among Musa Qala and Zamin Dawar in southern Helmand province, and a number of foreigners traveling in it were killed.”

NATO is scheduled to goes along withdraw it is forces from Afghanistan by the end of 2014.

Many ISAF members are involved in missions to train and support Afghan forces as they prepare to need over amazinger security responsibilities.

CNN’s Nick Paton Walsh, Saskya Vandoorne, Masoud Popalzai, Pierre Meilhan, Barbara Starr, Mitra Mobasherat and Adam Levine contributed to this report.